California gyms, like many others, have had to battle many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 13, Governor Gavin Newsom announced 30 counties were required to stop indoor gym operations, and this caused Gold’s Gym Southern California (Gold’s Gym SoCal) to get creative to find a way to continue to serve their members.
Orders from their local county health departments have continued to require that all indoor gym operations remain closed. However, gyms can operate outdoors with reduced capacity and modifications.
In order to continue to provide a safe, clean and motivating environment where their members can workout, Gold’s Gym SoCal decided to move as much of their equipment as possible outside to The Playground — a one-of-a-kind Gold’s Gym SoCal fitness experience that has never been done before.
“We took just about everything our clubs offer and brought it outdoors under tents and shade sails for comfort,” said Brian Morris, the vice president of sales and marketing at Gold’s Gym SoCal. “For example, we have cardio equipment, strength training equipment, free weights, functional training, select group exercise and cycling classes. Additionally, locations with an outdoor pool will allow swimming, one person per lane and our tanning studios are also open.”
Morris said they are taking preventive measures to provide fitness services for everyone by remaining true to their mission and strictly disinfecting the facilities and equipment, while also complying with state and local health and safety standards.
“We strive to operate the finest health clubs in Southern California by providing the cleanest, most motivating and enjoyable facilities where every member, guest and employee are part of one big family,” said Morris. “All team members and guests will be required to wear masks on The Playground while also maintaining at least six feet distance from each other.”
Other guidelines in place to ensure members remain safe while working out include strict sanitization measures, including disinfecting and sanitizing high-touch surfaces throughout the day. According to Morris, they added Victory Bioesque sprayers to their cleaning routine to spray all equipment on a regular basis. Members will be asked to wipe down all equipment before and after they are done with the Virex spray provided, and the Gold’s Gym SoCal team will continue to sanitize all equipment throughout the day.
If your health club isn’t allowed to have indoor operations, Morris recommends setting up your own Playground. “Our best advice would be to start now because there is no telling how long this shut down will continue,” he said.
